Mastering Context for Tricky Words

Sometimes, the meaning of a word isn't obvious. Advanced context clues help you figure out challenging vocabulary using subtle hints within the text.

Types of Context Clues

1. Definition Clues: The author defines the word in the sentence.
2. Example Clues: Examples are given to explain the word.
3. Contrast Clues: The word's meaning is shown by contrasting it with another word.
4. Inference Clues: You have to "read between the lines."

How to Use Them

• Look for signal words like "such as," "however," "although," or "in other words."
• Reread the sentence before and after the unknown word.
• Ask yourself what makes sense in context.

Real-World Impact

Advanced context skills boost your reading confidence and help you tackle tough academic texts and standardized tests.

Challenge Exercise

In this sentence, what does "elated" mean?
After winning the spelling bee, Jayden was elated, unlike his competitor, who looked disappointed.